F-1 Student Employment
On Campus Employment
F-1 students may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. During vacation periods, you may work full-time if you will be registered for the next quarter.
If you have been issued an I-20 to move to a new degree program (or to transfer to a new school) and intend to enroll in the next academic term, you may continue to work on-campus. Otherwise, you may not continue to work on-campus after your program completion date, except with authorized Optional Practical Training.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval is not required for on-campus employment if you are a full-time student. For information about available on-campus jobs, go to the Student Employment Center, 1210 Dutton Hall.
Off Campus Employment
Optional Practical Training
- Online CPT and OPT Workshops
- F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information Sheet
- 17 month extension for STEM majors
- Students on OPT with Pending H-1B Petitions
- List of UC Davis STEM fields for OPT extensions
- Updates to Post-Completion OPT SEVP Policy Guidance 0801-02
Curricular Practical Training
To apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), please view the workshop
carefully. After viewing the workshop, please schedule an appointment with your advisor by calling (530) 752-0864 Ext. 0.
J-1 Student Employment
Students in J-1 status should schedule an appointment with their SISS advisor to find out more about work authorization available based on their status. Please call (530) 752-0864 Ext. 0 to schedule an appointment with your international student advisor.
Eligibility
With prior SISS approval, J-1 sponsored students may accept and continue employment if they meet all of the following conditions:
- The student is in good academic standing.
- The student continues to engage in a full course of study, except for official school breaks and vacation.
- The employment totals no more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks and vacations.
- The Responsible Officer has approved the specific employment in advance and in writing. Such approval may be valid up to 12 months, but is automatically withdrawn if the student's program is terminated.
- If the program sponsor is other than the University of California, Davis (UCD), that program sponsor is responsible to authorize employment.
Types of Employment
- On-campus Assistantship or Fellowship
The employment is pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship. Requires prior approval from SISS. Complete the J-1 On-Campus Employment Application Form.
- On-campus Employment
Any employment occurring on the premises of UCD.Requires prior approval from SISS. Complete the J-1 On-Campus Employment Application Form.
- Off-campus Employment
Employment occurring off-campus when necessary because of serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances which have arisen since acquiring J-1 student status. To discuss off-campus employment, schedule an appointment with your SISS Advisor.
- Academic Training
Academic Training is a type of employment directly related to your field of study at UC Davis. It must be authorized by your SISS Advisor. Please see our Academic Training handout.
Other Useful Links Student Employment Links
- U.S. ICE Frequently Asked Questions
- Employment -- F-1 Students On and Off Campus
- Pursuing Employment In The United States (PDF)
- Memo on Pursuing Employment In The United States (PDF)
- F-1 Employment International Intern
- Social Security and Tax Issues for F-1 and M-1 Students
- Information for Employers: Social Security, Tax, and Form I-9 Issues Pertaining to Nonimmigrant Students
